A televangelist admitted in front of a television audience that he cheated on his wife, an announcement he made to thwart people he said were trying to extort millions of dollars from him.

The Rev. Marcus Lamb made the confession Tuesday night on his show "Celebration" with his wife Joni Lamb by his side.

The couple also displayed a special message about the incident on the website of Daystar Television Network, the couple's television network.

"At the top of the program, the Lambs shared a compelling, transparent account of a personal challenge in their marriage that occurred several years ago, involving an inappropriate relationship between Marcus and another woman," the message said.

The couple explained that there were three people who said they would expose the affair if the couple's ministry did not pay them $7.5 million.

Daystar Television Network is based in Texas and airs some of the most popular evangelists in the nation, including T.D. Jakes, Joel Osteen, Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland and Joyce Meyer.

soundoff(1,130 Responses)

Mark

So keep those checks and dollars coming in!!

December 1, 2010 at 12:45 pm |

Robert

All this is actually rather funny, but the best part is what NCGolfer states. "The bible says the God demands a payment for sin in the form of death. He realized we all would sin and sent Jesus His Son to become sin for us and die to make the payment of death so we would not have to pay it ourselves." God...who many are stating is kind, loving and forgiving, set the penalty of sinning (going against his will) at no less than DEATH. WOW! He then felt that in order to give us humans a chance...he would give us a way out of his penalty by ordering his son to die. Again..WOW! Now a large group of people (many on this forum) are trying to defend this God (who sets unrealistic goals...indicates that if they don't reach his goals they will DIE...then orders his son to die as a way out). I'm not sure who is crazier...God...or the people who are defending him.

December 1, 2010 at 12:45 pm |

Carbony

Even more incredible is that God's son did as requested and died for us all, yes you too Robert. What's amazing is the choice to believe in this God is TOTALLY up to each individual. I choose to believe. Have an awesome day! :)

December 1, 2010 at 2:26 pm |

Reverend Jim Baker

He's hittin that and I got stuck with Tammy Faye?

December 1, 2010 at 12:44 pm |

Robrob

"Televangelist says he cheated on wife"

Shocking, this hardly ever happens.

December 1, 2010 at 12:44 pm |

Bri

Before anyone starts 'throwing stones' .. Have you ever lusted after one other than your spouse ? Well, according to scripture you have committed adultery in the eyes of God. That being said, pastors are held to a higher standard and he should step down from the pulpit. All of us have fallen short of the glory of God, no one is righteous enough to earn our way to heaven .. without God's grace we would have no hope. But there is hope in Jesus Christ who paid the penalty of man's sin on the cross.

December 1, 2010 at 12:43 pm |

mdn

You are judged by your actions and your intentions, not merely your thoughts. You cannot controlthe thoughts that come into your head, but you can control your actions. Otherwise We are all murderers, thieves, adulterers, etc.

There's a church by me in Chandler Arizona – Cornerstone. That pastor embezzled money but he's still going strong, preaching away and raking in millions. I wonder how much he's pocketing on the side now???

December 1, 2010 at 12:43 pm |

scott501

wouldn't it be easier to list the televangelists that didn't cheat on their wife?

December 1, 2010 at 12:42 pm |

Thomas

Then finally I would find a use for those Imaginary Numbers I learned about in math class. :)

December 1, 2010 at 2:30 pm |

Steve T

The bible – the rule book for OTHERS.

December 1, 2010 at 12:42 pm |

Jack63

Hopefully instead of just coming out with it to stop the blackmail, he also gives what evidence he has to the law enforcement agencies. Last time I checked blackmail was a crime after all.

December 1, 2010 at 12:42 pm |

Juan Jiménez

Ho-frickin-hum. Another khristian who considers all of his religion's rules to be negotiable. So what else is new. Putz.

December 1, 2010 at 12:41 pm |

Blessed_Agent

Remember, Jesus was born in a lost world and died for all of the sins of mankind. But He didn't remove all of the sins from the world. All that He ask is that you believe in your heart that He is God's son and that He did die for your sins. Live for Him and not for the world. It's all about your relationship with Him and not about religion. You will only be judged by God for what you did or didn't do, not for what others did that kept you from believing in Him.

December 1, 2010 at 12:41 pm |

Glen Quagmire

Let's face it, those women holy rollers aren't known for getting their freak on, let alone putting out. Let the guy have his fun. Just look at that frump. I'll bet she had cement poured in her snizz a long time ago.

December 1, 2010 at 12:40 pm |

Wobbles

A televangelist cheated on his wife? Someone stop the presses because we all know THAT never happens. Just cry a little and ask for an extra donation from the flock.

December 1, 2010 at 12:39 pm |

Bob

Baa baaabaaaa

December 1, 2010 at 12:39 pm |

maxmax

no one is a man of God unless he believes the true gospel where Christ did it all, where man did nothing to deserve heaven

December 1, 2010 at 12:39 pm |

Marie

you sound like a robot parrot like most christians

December 1, 2010 at 3:36 pm |

asrael

So the goal of all women is to be a "man of God"...?

December 1, 2010 at 8:42 pm |

Mom of 2

Denise : WELL SAID! No christian is perfect or the pews would be empty. What a testimony that they were able to work through adultry when most people aren't. I don't know their hearts, but I will easily say that through Christ one can get through anything. If you do not have God in your heart, I pray that you seek His forgiveness. God loves you and died for you so you can be free and enjoy heaven and Jesus when the time comes. Hell is a reality. All I can tell you is Jesus lives, He is real, and he has brought my life such joy. Even when things are rough – which they can be. God cares more about our calling that our comfort. He never promised it would be easy, but that He would be right beside us. God made all of us and He loves us all, but not all will get to see Him in Heaven unless we accept Him in our lives. Please, before you brush this msg off, think about your life and the true happiness you can have that only comes from Jesus. Back to the story – we all make mistakes and he asked for forgiveness.

December 1, 2010 at 12:38 pm |

Chicago

And this is why faith, and more specifically belief in some imaginary man and 12 idiots who followed him around should be a certified mental illness. Most delusions are not socially acceptable, but somehow belief in imaginary beings, which are otherwise unproven and unseen by all (except the certifiably insane), namely Christianity, is socially acceptable. Jesus brings you no happiness, he is a story, just like Romeo & Juliet or Hans & Gretl. Happiness comes from your life's experiences; religion is rooted in fear, the fear of dying...people are unwilling accept that we have one life, on earth. Enjoy it, and stop worrying about what Jesus thinks.

December 1, 2010 at 12:53 pm |

Marc

Mom, I feel good knowing you feel good about your religion...believe it or not, BUT in this general discussion, can we eliminate the Old Testament as being factual? God was responsible for the killing thousands of men women and children. Please tell me that you don't believe stories including parting of the Red Sea and Jordan River. Stones into water, fallen angels, and 900 year old guys..the list goes on and on.

December 1, 2010 at 1:43 pm |

Ryan

Mom of 2.....you tell people to read the bible, maybe it will help you. I suggest the same thing to you. God didnt die for you, his "son" did, Jesus.
And I think its great you are happy, with a good life. All those blessing are from the fact you are happy, probably have 2 wondeful kids that you adore, and a healthy marriage. Thats great. But you should realize you have all of that based on the decisions YOU made. It wasnt because of some invisible man who has never been seen, it was because of YOU. Give yourself the credit, and not the invisible man.

December 1, 2010 at 2:20 pm |

Queen Barbara

The most wonderful Jesus Christ of Nazareth not only has the power and authority from the Holy Spirit to forgive sins including all relational things but also to restore us as brand new beings.Christianity is a process that teaches us to perceive that God is with us.

December 1, 2010 at 12:38 pm |

Marc

WAKE UP Christians! You are being had. Do you need a television to strengthen your faith? After reading the first few chapters of the Old Testament I realized that it all a giant myth. There is no proof of any of it. The TV pulpiteers are making a fortune convincing you that you must be saved and to do that you must send money so they can scam other "christians". Of course. They interpret the Book for you but fail to tell you that it is all unproven, anonymous and undated. The "preacher"'s wife said she was told by the holy spirit to fight for this scam artist...I wonder if the spirit spoke in English or Greek or maybe Aramaic. Believe me folks, after you;ve given up on the fairy tale, you will find that you are the same fine person you were except you are not worried every day about your chances of going to hell.

December 1, 2010 at 12:37 pm |

Mom of 2

Marc, I give money to the church, and I don't base my views from watching tv. I study the bible. I am sorry you didn't think so. I encourage you to use a Bible study guide, or maybe do a bible study to understand what it is about. If you ask God to help you with understanding, or even to have faith, and you are sincere, He will help you.

By the way, I am not being had. I am well educated and I still believe in Christ. I cannot describe the joy and the blessings he has given me. I know He is real!

December 1, 2010 at 12:43 pm |

Not all religious people are deluded

I myself am an educated person. I love astronomy and learning about the magnificent Universe that we have BARELY scratched the surface to understand. I appreciate and love Science. I am also a Christian. You see, they are NOT in conflict. There are many religious people that are deluded and can only scream 'JESUS SAVES'. Others though are educated and recognize that God is the great Scientist. All the physical laws of the Earth and the Universe really were put into place by Him and fill us with awe. It does not take away the joy of learning about these things by acknowledging that it was created. The same is true knowing the name of the artist who drew Starry Night.

December 1, 2010 at 3:32 pm |

RDR555

Why is it that these supposed men of God, lets not forget the preacher in Northern New Jersey that forbid his church officials from using Facebook and then admits to an affair 2 days later, can't keep it in their pants. The same for the politicians that have been brought down by affairs. Do these people think that they are better than God and don't have to abide by the Bible or the Rules of Society.

The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.